Disney4me

Hello, there! We’re back with another DFB Video for your day, and we’re sharing some Walt Disney World trip hacks! Are you getting ready to goof around with this guy? When you’re traveling to Walt Disney World, there is a LOT to consider. Things that immediately spring to mind are reserving Advance Dining Reservations for your top restaurant picks and FastPasses for your must-ride attractions, and booking your preferred Resort. But today we’re taking on the full gamut from the earliest stages of trip planning, to packing, and to getting around once you and your family are in the parks at long last! (And, yes, we’ve got a few food hacks for you, too!) And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel! By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! So check out the video and then let us know: What’s your favorite hack when it comes to Disney World trip planning? Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: DFB Video: How to Make Your Disney Trip Stress-Free DFB Video: Things Most People Don’t Know About Walt Disney World DFB Video: What I Wish I’d Known BEFORE I Went to Disney World View the full article

You’re on Walt Disney World’s ride Flight of Passage, and you start feeling queasy — that turkey leg you had for lunch is like a rock in your stomach. Sensing your distress, the flying banshee you’re on seems to become tamer. It levels off, slows down and flies much closer to the surface of Pandora. ... View the full article

You’re on Walt Disney World’s ride Flight of Passage, and you start feeling queasy — that turkey leg you had for lunch is like a rock in your stomach. Sensing your distress, the flying banshee you’re on seems to become tamer. It levels off, slows down and flies much closer to the surface of Pandora. ... View the full article

You’re on Disney World’s ride Flight of Passage, and you start feeling queasy – that turkey leg you had for lunch is like a rock in your stomach. Sensing your distress, the flying banshee you’re on seems to become tamer. It levels off, slows down and flies much closer to the surface of Pandora. ... View the full article

You’re on Disney World’s ride Flight of Passage, and you start feeling queasy – that turkey leg you had for lunch is like a rock in your stomach. Sensing your distress, the flying banshee under you seems tamer. She levels off, slows down and flies much closer to the surface of Pandora. That may... View the full article

You’re on Disney World’s ride Flight of Passage, and you start feeling queasy – that turkey leg you had for lunch is like a rock in your stomach. Sensing your distress, the flying banshee under you seems tamer. She levels off, slows down and flies much closer to the surface of Pandora. That may... View the full article

Jon Favreau has been tapped to write and executive produce the live-action "Star Wars" series at Disney's upcoming streaming service, the company announced Thursday. "I couldn't be more excited about Jon coming on board to produce and write for the new direct-to-consumer platform," said Lucasfilm... View the full article

Heads up, y’all. Not every set of mouse ears comes from Walt Disney Co. I admit it was wrong of me to assume that they were all Disney-grown. During the opening days of this year’s Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, I noticed multiple women in the theme park with floral mouse-ear headbands... View the full article

First Look at Disney’s Next Ships – Rendering The Disney Cruise Line fleet has the most beautiful ships at sea and the three newest vessels setting sail in 2021, 2022 and 2023 will be no exception. This first, early rendering depicts the magnificent exterior of the newest Disney ships that will elevate family cruise vacations to a whole new level. In keeping with the distinct Disney Cruise Line style, the new ships will embody the elegance and romance of the golden age of ocean cruising with unique touches all their own. The new vessels will offer more innovation, new technologies, spectacular entertainment and more Disney stories and characters than ever before. Ingenuity and innovation from stem to stern will amaze and delight Disney Cruise Line guests of all ages. Each new ship will be approximately 140,000 gross tons and each is currently planned to include about 1,250 guest staterooms. The rendering was revealed today by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger at The Walt Disney Company’s annual shareholders meeting. ### View the full article

First Look at Disney’s Next Ships – Rendering The Disney Cruise Line fleet has the most beautiful ships at sea and the three newest vessels setting sail in 2021, 2022 and 2023 will be no exception. This first, early rendering depicts the magnificent exterior of the newest Disney ships that will elevate family cruise vacations to a whole new level. In keeping with the distinct Disney Cruise Line style, the new ships will embody the elegance and romance of the golden age of ocean cruising with unique touches all their own. The new vessels will offer more innovation, new technologies, spectacular entertainment and more Disney stories and characters than ever before. Ingenuity and innovation from stem to stern will amaze and delight Disney Cruise Line guests of all ages. Each new ship will be approximately 140,000 gross tons and each is currently planned to include about 1,250 guest staterooms. ### View the full article

April 22, 2018, will mark the 20th Anniversary of the opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom! And the park will mark the occasion by expanding the annual Party for the Planet for 2018 into a two-week celebration featuring unique PhotoPass opportunities, backstage experiences at Rafiki’s Planet Watch, 20th Anniversary merchandise, specialty food offerings around the park, and more. Tiffins Talks will also be part of the event. Tiffins Sign These dining experiences at the park’s signature restaurant, Tiffins, are currently available for booking on select nights from April 22 to May 5, 2018. Guests will listen to animal and conservation experts (including Imagineer Joe Rohde on April 25th) while enjoying a four-course meal comprised of specialty food and beverages that will complement the evening’s topics, which can be seen below! Pan-Seared Duck Breast at Tiffins Sunday, April 22, 2018 – Dr. Joseph Soltis, a research scientist at the park, will speak about the “Elephants and Bees” project in which honeybees are helping people and elephants in Kenya. The menu will feature African cuisine. Wednesday, April 25, 2018 – Joe Rohde, a veteran Imagineer, will share tales from his adventures all over Asia, India, Nepal, and China. The chefs of Tiffins will follow Joe’s journeys with a menu inspired by his travels. Friday, April 27, 2018 – Dr. Jason Fischer, one of the park’s Conservation Program Managers will speak about Disney’s efforts to conserve the purple martin, a remarkable migratory songbird that travels to Walt Disney World Resort from the Brazilian Amazon to raise a family each year. The menu will feature North American cuisine. Sunday, April 29, 2018 – Rachel Daneault, one of the park’s Zoological Managers, will talk about the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center (GRACE) project that Disney supports in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The menu will feature African cuisine. Wednesday, May 2, 2018 – Dr. Anne Savage, the park’s Conservation Director, will speak about the cotton-top tamarin conservation project Disney supports in Colombia. The menu will feature South American cuisine. Friday, May 4, 2018 – Dr. Scott Terrell, Director of Animal and Science Operations, will chat about caring for the Sumatran tigers that call Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park home, as well as the conservation work Disney is doing to protect tigers in Asia. The menu will feature Asian cuisine. Please note that speakers and topics are subject to change. Admission to Animal Kingdom is required, but not included. Guests must be 21 or older to drink alcoholic beverages, and a government I.D. will be required. Tiffins Talks are $165.00 per person (tax and gratuity included), and begin at 5:30 PM. Interested guests may book online or by calling (407) WDW-DINE. Is Tiffins Worth Two Disney Dining Plan Credits? Find Out What We Think — Click Here for Our Latest Tiffins Review! Are you excited to celebrate Animal Kingdom’s 20th Anniversary? Please let us know with a comment! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: News! Animal Kingdom’s Party for the Planet — NOW WITH FOOD! News: More Details on Tiffins Restaurant and Nomad Lounge, Opening in Animal Kingdom This Summer News! Tiffins Restaurant Brings Signature Dining to Animal Kingdom in 2016 View the full article

Gaston’s Tavern has become a nice little getaway in New Fantasyland (seriously, it’s been five years; when can we stop calling it “New”?), with a limited menu and proximity to meet-and-greets with the man himself. Gaston’s menu is usually pretty minimal. At present you can find a Ham and Cheese Pretzel, a Chocolate Croissant, and a Fruit and Cheese Picnic Platter much better suited to Belle than someone so good at expectorating. And then there’s the Warm Cinnamon Roll, which is soooo satisfying (particularly so when you request extra icing…). We love it so much we even got the recipe! Gaston’s Tavern — Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland Besides the decadent cinnamon roll, sweet treats at Gaston’s include two lovely and simple options. The Enchanted Rose Cupcake features colors signifying Belle’s gown and the enchanted rose — yellow and red. Rose Cupcake We love how even the yellow frosting is piped to look like petals. Or maybe like the bottom of Belle’s ballroom dress. Either way, we love the detail. Close Up The cupcake itself is simply chocolate. And when it comes to indulgence, this cupcake is more beautiful than tasty. But if you’re one of those folks who prefers more cake and less icing, then this might be for you. The Rose Up Close If you’re more in the mood for something dainty and less cake-y (I guess some people feel that way…), Gaston also serves up a Trio of Macarons. These are packaged sweetly and feature three colors/flavors: green Pistachio, yellow Lemon, and pink Raspberry. There’s also a twin trio of Chocolate, Coffee, and Vanilla available. Trio of Macarons The macarons are what you’d expect them to be: fragile on the outside with a slightly chewy interior. The flavors are somewhat subtle, coming though in the fillings more than the cookies. Macaron Trio We’re glad Gaston’s Tavern offers so many options for guests because we like any excuse to linger in that beautifully-themed area. It’s a little unfortunate that they’ve stopped offering the one really Gaston-y item: that massive Pork Shank. But guests can still grab a cool cup of Lefou’s Brew! Don’t Miss Out on the ALL the Best Snacks Walt Disney World Has to Offer! Get four awesome e-Books FULL of Disney park dining advice, bundled for 30% off the already discounted price! Yep, we’ve scoured the parks to find any and all snack choices — from the mundane to the spectacular — and we tell you all about them (with full-color pictures!) in our snack guides! These are updated every year, so you know your guide will be perfect for your upcoming trip, and they’re bundled with our DFB Guide to WDW Dining! This money-saving bundle includes all of the following: The 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, Second Edition The DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks The DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks The DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks All four are being sold together — for 30% off the already hugely discounted bundle price. Use code BUNDLE17 at check out to get the discount. It’s a $63 value for under $30!! With this Bundle of e-books you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips to plan the best Disney World vacation ever. And with our handy e-book format, you can download the Guides to all of your electronic devices and take them with you wherever you go! And with our 100% money-back guarantee, what do you have to lose? What’s your favorite Gaston-approved snack at the Tavern? Let us know in the comments! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: Review: NEW Tavern Beef Stew at Gaston’s Tavern in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Review: LeFou’s Brew at Gaston’s Tavern in Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland #OnTheList: Cinnamon Roll at Gaston’s Tavern in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom View the full article

In our Disney Doodles series, our Disney artists take turns imaging what different Disney characters would do or see first if they had the chance to visit the Walt Disney World Resort. This week, artist Ashley Taylor imagines what Timon and Pumbaa, the best buddies from Disney’s “The Lion King,” would do if they had the chance to visit Magic Kingdom Park. According to her, they’d likely check out an adventurous attraction that’s filled with wisecracking humor, like The Jungle Cruise. “Timon and Pumbaa are always cracking jokes with each other!” she said. “The Jungle Cruise is the perfect place for them to unwind and have fun!” View the full article

There’s a new doorbell at Walt Disney World, and it’s pushing some fans’ buttons. Internet buzz leads to this theory, which has its firm believers: This marks the entryway to a Club 33 at Epcot. The ringer in question is in place in the American Adventure building in the World Showcase side of... View the full article

Earlier today, we unveiled a new, innovative plan to completely transform the patient and family stay at children’s hospitals around the world with the creation of personalized, distinctly “Disney” experiences featuring beloved Disney characters and stories. And Walt Disney Imagineers will be leading the creative design work at each hospital! Disney Chairman and CEO Robert A. Iger and Mark A. Wallace, President and CEO of Texas Children’s Hospital were joined by Mickey Mouse for the big announcement at Texas Children’s Hospital – the first hospital to work us and this new approach. This initiative, which includes the Walt Disney Company’s dedication of more than $100 million, will roll out over the next five years. During that time, Imagineers will be working with patient care experts to help create a supportive atmosphere that’s personal, warm and entertaining at the hospitals. The combination of customized experiences with favorite Disney characters and our legendary creativity will help inspire young patients and their family and ease the stress of a hospital stay. How will it happen? Here are a few concepts: Addition of a new RFID-based system allowing patients to customize their hospital visit by choosing their favorite Disney stories and characters. The system will also unlock special elements to further personalize and enhance the experience, such as “enchanted” artwork that comes alive. Themed treatment and patient rooms featuring interactive murals of Disney stories, bed linens and gowns featuring each child’s favorite characters, and personalized in-room entertainment. Also, well stocked mobile “play carts” will include Disney-themed games and activities to give families something to do together to help alleviate stress and boredom. Disney first-run movies and television shows, available both in-room and in themed pop up movie theaters in the hospital, along with other Disney entertainment options. Disney customer-experience training for doctors, nurses and staff. Disney Institute will create a customized program for healthcare professionals designed to foster a less stressful, patient and family-centric hospital experience. Disney teams are already working with a panel of medical experts, including doctors, nurses, hospital administrators, parents and child life professionals from around the world, to advise on the best ways to help hospitals create a more personalized and comforting experience for patients and families. This new patient-focused initiative will expand the Company’s rich legacy of supporting children’s hospitals, which dates back to Walt Disney. Keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for future updates. View the full article

Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time” doesn’t hit theaters until March 9, but this past weekend, more than 200 Disney Parks Blog readers were treated to an early preview of the film at AMC Disney Springs 24. From visionary director Ava DuVernay comes Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time,” an epic adventure based on Madeleine L’Engle’s timeless classic which takes audiences across dimensions of time and space, examining the nature of darkness versus light and, ultimately, the triumph of love. Through one girl’s transformative journey led by three celestial guides, we discover that strength comes from embracing one’s individuality and that the best way to triumph over fear is to travel by one’s own light. Check out what our readers had to say about the film in the clip above. Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time” debuts in theaters on March 9. View the full article

No visit to Hawai‘i would be complete without experiencing a luʻau, or Hawaiian feast. KA WA‘A Luʻau at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, will take you on an enchanting journey, sharing the deep cultural roots in canoe (or waʻa) exploration. The evening includes beautiful music and dance, family activities and a delicious luʻau feast. In this episode of “Meet Aulani’s ‘Ohana,” you’ll meet Noa, a local storyteller part of KA WA‘A Luʻau. Noa guides guests through time—when voyagers from Tahiti arrived to settle in Hawai‘i, farming and fishing practices; plantation days and celebration of family traditions. In keeping with the Hawaiian cultural roots of Aulani Resort, KA WA‘A Luʻau immerses guests in the world around them, recounting tales of O‘ahu, as well as the legends of the demigod Maui. Lively music and traditional Hawaiian dance, including hula kahiko and modern hula ‘auana, vividly bring the show’s story to life. Meet Noa in the video below: Located at Aulani Resort’s Halawai Lawn, KA WA‘A Luʻau is offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays (subject to change, based on season). For reservations, call (808) 674-6320 or visit DisneyAulani.com. View the full article

The first trailer for Disney's live-action "Christopher Robin," released Wednesday afternoon, gave us a snippet of a scene in which a tense Ewan McGregor sits on a park bench, swivels around to discover an aging teddy bear standing behind him and exclaims in disbelief, "Pooh?!" That's right, folks.... View the full article

Spring is Alive | Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival View the full article

Brown Derby Lounge is a terrific place to dine if you’re looking for a little Hollywood Flair at Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and the best part is that there’s no ADR required! Learn About: San Angel Inn Restaurante Epcot Restaurants Disney World Restaurants That’s right! You can saunter up to Brown Derby Lounge on a whim and experience the understated elegance and tasty menu that so many have lauded in the Brown Derby Restaurant proper. We’ve enjoyed our visits here, where Margarita and Martini Flights rule and you almost can’t go wrong with the menu of Brown Derby Restaurant-approved eats. And with outdoor seating on Hollywood Boulevard, it’s a great place for people watching! During a recent visit to the World, I dropped in for a few plates of food — and left having eaten the best thing I ate in my entire visit! I love being surprised by awesome food — even more so when it’s served in such a great location! Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge Bar Atmosphere Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge is a relaxed, mostly outdoor location (seats are on the patio of the Brown Derby). In the past, they have offered indoor seating at times. Outside, tables are close, but it’s a nice little getaway for a last-minute meal or drink. Passersby Seating is at both standard height tables and tall bar tables. Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge If they ARE offering inside seating on your visit, this is the gist. Inside Patio Seating at Brown Derby Lounge But let’s get to the most important part of this! Eats The menu at the Brown Derby Lounge is packed with tasty beverages and app-sized bites, so it’s a fun place to try a few new-to-you things. Brown Derby Lounge Menu We love the flights here. It’s a delicious way to sample various drinky drinks! The margaritas are yum! Margarita Flight The eats here are listed as Small Bites, and they include The Famous Hollywood Brown Derby Cobb Salad and the lauded Derby Original Grapefruit Cake (served as part of the Dessert Trio). Brown Derby Lounge Eats I opted for three dishes — one an old standby and two new additions. Brown Derby Lounge Eats First up, the old standby: Derby Sliders. This duo includes a beef and a duck option. Derby Sliders The Wagyu Beef slider is the better of the two — by far. It’s Wagyu Beef with Cognac-Mustard Aïoli, Smoked Gouda Cheese, Bacon, and Avocado. The beef is flavorful, and the toppings are balanced and high quality. Wagyu Beef Slider It’s a delicious burger, with that Smoked Gouda taking on a starring role. Cross Section The Duck Confit slider is okay. It’s topped with Taleggio Cheese, Chipotle-Vegetable Slaw, Sweet Onion-Orange Conserve, and crispy Leeks. Although the ingredients should be stellar, they’re just not that exciting to eat, unfortunately. There’s little spice or flavor from the Chipotle-Vegetable Slaw, and the whole thing is a little muddled. Duck Confit Slider Note that you can pay $3.00 extra to get two wagyu sliders instead of one beef and one duck. I’d recommend it. Next up was Tamarind-Glazed Pork Belly. Any pork belly has instant appeal for me, and this one sounded great. At first glance, it had good color and some obvious moisture. Tamarind-Glazed Pork Belly The accompaniment includes Chorizo, Plantain, Sweet Potato Hash, and Mango Pico De Gallo. I was really hoping this would wow me, but it was a little meh. It had great sweetness from the glaze, and that was compelling; but otherwise, it’s nothing special. Pork Belly But the last item of the day? Guys. Seriously. Order three of these and call it a day: Andouille-Crusted Shrimp! Andouille. Crusted. Shrimp. Heaven. Andouille-Crusted Shrimp I remember having this on the Brown Derby menu long ago — but then it was one jumbo shrimp. I love the three smaller shrimp here. The spicy, flavor-packed shrimp are plated atop SUPER-flavorful Cotswold Cheddar Grits and are garnished with Micro Salad with Lime and Piment d’Espelette Oil. There’s also a dynamite slice of Andouille Sausage serving all kinds of looks and flavor. Andouille-Crusted Shrimp Completely stunning in its taste and appearance. This is a must — a MUST! But you will not want to share, so just order as many as you need. Yes, at $15 a plate it’s pricey. No doubt. But SO worth it IMO. Nosh or Not? Get glam at the Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge if: You want to enjoy the Restaurant’s top-notch dining but couldn’t score an ADR. You’re letting spontaneity guide your dining and need a walk-up option. You love interesting dining in a not-so-in-your-face-Disney locale. Your kid fell asleep in her stroller and you’re ready for a margarita. Go somewhere else if: You prefer a table service, dedicated indoor dining experience. You want the full Brown Derby Experience in the Restaurant proper. You just want to grab quick service and hit the Tower of Terror hard instead. Overall Can I have some more Andouille-Crusted Shrimp? Like, every day, all day? Please? The Brown Derby Lounge retains its appeal as a great place to drop in for a meal without an ADR, and with some outstanding food and drink options, we’ll be back! Basically tomorrow. Don’t Miss Out on the ALL the Best Snacks Walt Disney World Has to Offer! Get four awesome e-Books FULL of Disney park dining advice, bundled for 30% off the already discounted price! Yep, we’ve scoured the parks to find any and all snack choices — from the mundane to the spectacular — and we tell you all about them (with full-color pictures!) in our snack guides! These are updated every year, so you know your guide will be perfect for your upcoming trip, and they’re bundled with our DFB Guide to WDW Dining! This money-saving bundle includes all of the following: The 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, Second Edition The DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks The DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks The DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks All four are being sold together — for 30% off the already hugely discounted bundle price. Use code BUNDLE17 at check out to get the discount. It’s a $63 value for under $30!! With this Bundle of e-books you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips to plan the best Disney World vacation ever. And with our handy e-book format, you can download the Guides to all of your electronic devices and take them with you wherever you go! And with our 100% money-back guarantee, what do you have to lose? Are you a fan of walk-up dining? Tell us about your favorite places to dine without an ADR in the World! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: News! Hollywood Brown Derby Patio Lounge May Be Opening Soon in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! #OnTheList: Margarita and Martini Flights at Disney World’s Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge Photo Tour and Review: NEW Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge in Disney World! View the full article

Last week, we announced our return to Europe in the summer of 2019. That means both this summer and next, you have the chance to explore Old World charm, stunning scenery and historical sights from the Mediterranean to Northern Europe. Deciding which cruise itinerary is best for your family is your first big decision, and then starts the fun part: planning your adventures in our incredible destinations. As you explore what to see and do in each port, here are my top tips for how to enhance your Disney cruise in Europe… Do an Adventures by Disney Short Escape when sailing from Barcelona, Rome or Copenhagen. These three-night trips, hosted by two expert Adventure Guides, give you more time to explore the homeport before your voyage. What’s more, it gives your family a chance to get acclimated to a different time zone so you can start your cruise fresh. The best part is that your Adventure Guides plan all the details, so you get to sit back and relax as they show you the sights and arrange VIP experiences that allow you to experience memorable icons in ways that few can. Give each member of the family a vote in the Port Adventure selection. We offer excursions catered to all ages and interests, so whether you’re traveling with young kids, teenagers or just adults, there’s something for you. Depending on everyone’s preferences, consider choosing a different type of experience in each port, perhaps an active adventure one day and a relaxing excursion the next. Nature lover, history buff or culinary connoisseur? We have Port Adventures specifically for you. Add on a guided group excursion package with Adventures by Disney on select European cruises. Want to see the best of each destination with tour guides who knows each of you by name? Two knowledgeable and friendly Adventure Guides, the same throughout the cruise, will help you unlock the wonders of each port through immersive excursions and off-the-beaten-path adventures. In addition, you can enjoy exclusive receptions onboard and have access to concierge service from these dedicated guides during the voyage. Use your time onboard the ship to recharge. On our European voyages, the Disney Magic is your home away from home. Except you don’t have to do any of the cooking, cleaning or entertaining! After an excursion in port or during your days at sea, take advantage of all the ship has to offer with the all-included dining, pools, sports deck, Broadway-style musicals and much more. Let your kids play with their new friends in the youth club while you get pampered in the spa or enjoy a date night at Palo. Then return to the comfort of your stateroom to rest up for the next day’s adventures! Those of you who have cruised in Europe with us, what are your top tips to add more magic to the experience? View the full article

“You’re given the form,” one of the celestial mentors says in Madeleine L’Engle's “A Wrinkle in Time.” “But you have to write the sonnet yourself.” This is how L’Engle described a free-will sort of life, in the novel she began in 1959. She endured 26 publishing rejections, got it into print in... View the full article

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is in full bloom and this can only mean one thing: Spring is almost here! This is by far one of my favorite seasons, and I usually celebrate it with a little trip to Epcot for some spring extravaganza. My first stop is usually the Mexico Pavilion. There is so much to explore there! One of the first things I do is take a photo in front of The Three Caballeros topiaries! Jose, Donald y Panchito are so adorable that a photo there is a must during a visit to the festival. Then, you have to stop at the Jardin de Fiestas outdoor kitchen to savor some of their yummy offerings like a pork taco with apple relish, goat cheese and chile de árbol sauce… Or some tasty chilaquiles with ranchera sauce, chorizo, Mexican crema and cotija cheese. You can’t go wrong by ordering a Rose Margarita, because Rose everything is better! Last but not least, get lost in a beautiful area filled with orquídeas to learn about Mexican rainforests at the Tropical Rainforest Garden. For more information on the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, that runs through May 28, visit epcotinspring.com View the full article

Last week Adventures by Disney announced their lineup of 2019 Short Escape trips, which can be booked as quick getaways to iconic destinations, or as a pre-cruise add-on to Disney Cruise Line sailings departing from Rome, Southern California, Copenhagen and more. Among their Short Escape options is a 3-night, 4-day vacation to one of my favorite cities, Barcelona! With its rich culture and unique architecture, it’s no wonder that Barcelona is one of Europe’s top destinations. From savoring delicious local cuisine to visiting beautiful historical sites, the Adventures by Disney Barcelona vacation packs the best of this remarkable region into an unforgettable adventure. The iconic designs of Barcelona’s beloved artist Gaudí come to life through privately guided tours of his most famous works of art in the city, including La Sagrada Família and Park Güell. Stroll back through time as you walk through the cobblestone streets of Old Barcelona, exploring the labyrinth of passageways and shops in the Gothic Quarter, and even take in a colorful flamenco show. Further outside the city, you’ll visit Montserrat, a mystical Benedictine monastery embedded in the mountains. See just a few the highlights of the Barcelona Short Escape in this video! Past Adventures by Disney guests can book 2019 Short Escapes today, while bookings open for all other guests tomorrow. View the full article

Guests visiting World Showcase at Epcot have delighted in the sights, sounds, and tastes of 11 themed pavilions for more than 35 years. Since opening in 1982, shopping has played an important part of the World Showcase experience. Recently, I caught up with Jennifer Furbee and Sylvie Brumbaugh, two Disney Parks Merchandise Cast Members who have the fun assignment of selecting merchandise for World Showcase shops. They gave me a behind-the-scenes look at how they create tangible memories for this immersive shopping destination at Walt Disney World Resort. “There’s always something new to discover,” explained Jennifer who has supported Mexico, Canada, and The American Adventure pavilions for three years. “For some guests, [World Showcase] may be the only time they visit a particular country. We want them to feel like they are actually visiting the country through the products we offer.” Developing and selecting new World Showcase merchandise takes several months. During that time, the product developers are researching popular trends, traveling to domestic and international destinations for inspiration, creating product assortments that support stories in each pavilion, and finalizing product samples to ensure they are ready for shops. Jennifer and Sylvie include many recognizable products from countries represented in World Showcase to create an authentic shopping experience for guests. A recent example is found in Germany pavilion where traditional German lederhosen and dirndl dresses create an instant Oktoberfest celebration. Other authentic products include color figurines from Mexico pavilion or decorative teapots from United Kingdom pavilion. The team also develops character-themed products with artwork inspired by World Showcase countries. New arrivals in Canada and Norway pavilions include country map collections where Chip and Dale, Goofy, and Mickey Mouse are shown exploring these vast nations. Sylvie, who began her Disney career as a Cultural Representative in the France pavilion during the late 1980s, has supported Germany, Italy, France, United Kingdom and Norway pavilions for seven years. To her, collaboration is key when creating memorable merchandise. “To bring these product stories to life, we work with tremendous partners including artists at Disney Creative Group, merchandise operations, location planning, merchandise presentation, and Walt Disney Imagineering,” said Sylvie. “We also periodically hold roundtable discussions with Cultural Representatives to get feedback about the merchandise we carry.” Sylvie has a unique perspective about her role with the World Showcase team. “It’s an incredible feeling developing products for the place where I started my career,” said Sylvie. “I have a wonderful sense of pride with every visit to World Showcase. I’m thankful to play a part in creating lasting memories for guests through merchandise.” View the full article